Expert-Led Training: Proven Methods, Real Transformations

Dog training is like balancing on a tightrope. We want our dogs to be happy, engaged and motivated. Yet we also need precision which often leads to a loss of enthusiasm. It’s a delicate dance. Once dogs have learned the exercises it becomes a challenge to maintain them. Dogs get bored, they lose enthusiasm and the exercises degrade. In this class we will look at a variety of strategies and games to maintain motivation for all exercises. You will learn how to get precision without losing animation. We will look at using aides to help achieve balance and, more importantly, how to fade them. You will learn how to break exercises down to keep the pieces fun and exciting without losing accuracy. You will learn how to use backchaining, jackpot training and how to handle anticipation. You will also learn how to balance your dog’s arousal to ensure they are in an optimal state to perform at a high level. Whether you are starting to put the pieces together or your dog is competing, this course will help you maintain enthusiasm without losing precision.

Did you know that the MOST important time in a dog's early career in Nosework happens AFTER they learn target odor (as in NW101) and BEFORE they start their general searching? Making mistakes now are costly. In this transition time, the dog (and handler) learns searching habits, passive indication, precision, consistency, and the ability to work in new and novel locations. THIS class forms the initial foundation to get you off onto the right track. Without these skills, a team may suffer from missed hides and false alerts and their ability to move up the levels successfully may be hampered.

Rising above environmental challenges can be the hardest part for our dogs. Scentwork dogs face more than the average sport—working inside, outside, on different surfaces, and in infinite setups and surroundings. It’s no surprise that some dogs struggle with focus or sensitivity in search environments. Even dogs who love their food rewards don’t always have the motivation or confidence to push through challenges to find the thing that earns them that reward.

This class is going to take an in depth look at an integrated approach to your canine athletes physical and emotional wellbeing. This will include: home life, emotions and behavior, competition and training, physical health and wellbeing, and fitness.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Go back to Foundations?" Do you really know what that means? In this class we will learn WHAT the proper foundations are for Nosework and will work on enhancing them.